Overview
I designed this new pond as a complete garden make-over. I had a large sunken pond a few years ago, but this time I wanted to bring the water level up, and make the pond part of the garden. The idea is that it forms one edge of a patio area that gets the evening sun. I'm going to stock it with a few goldies, a couple of water lillies, and lots of marginal plants.
Overall dimensions are 4m long, 1.8m wide, and 0.6m deep in the main, but I will dig down in the middle so the full depth is about 1m in the centre.
The volume will be about 4,000 litres.
Overall dimensions are 4m long, 1.8m wide, and 0.6m deep in the main, but I will dig down in the middle so the full depth is about 1m in the centre.
The volume will be about 4,000 litres.
Planning and Construction
Construction
Construction is by concrete blocks 18" x 9" x 4" laid flat for the majority. On the two long sides a course will be laid on edge to create a shelf on which I can place marginal plants. The sides will be topped with 4 x 4 timber. I have EDPM liner, which will go under the timber, so the water level will be a couple of inches below the timber rails.
On the shelf at the far end I'm going to build a waterfall, which will act as the return from the filter.
Fish / Plant Stock
I kept a couple of water lillies that had sentimental value - I bought them for my wife about the time we got married. They survived 8 years in barrels, so those got transplanted immediately. I have chosen native British plant species, including Marsh St. John's Wort, Purple Loosestrife, Brooklime, Water Spearmint, Water Crowfoot, Aponogeton distachyos and Nymphoides peltata.
The bed in front of the pond will be planted with a variety of Penstemons - one of my favourite long-flowering shrubs.
The bed in front of the pond will be planted with a variety of Penstemons - one of my favourite long-flowering shrubs.